Feral Cats can be tamed and they are just shy and scared!
Feral Cats can be tamed and they are just shy and scared!
by Michelle
(Boca Raton, Florida)
Feral Cats can be tamed and they are just shy and scared! After trapping and spay/neutering 5 kittens and 1 mother…with patience and one on one contact, I have tamed all of the now 1 year old cats and have them all adopted out. The mother is probably only 6 months older than her kittens. The secret is patience…1-2 months…keeping the kitten or cat in a small area with their own individual bed and nowhere to hide under. They are shy if feral and will hide and try to avoid contact.
I use a bristle brush (like a mom’s cat’s tongue) and brush them daily. Also, baby feeding them with a baby spoon when they are kittens together with the brushing for kittens or adults as mentioned.
They are basically very scared and shy and once you break them…1-2 months…still keep them in an area they can feel it is their own and then be gentle, patient and they will act like a pet after 1-2 months. I learned this from hearing all the negative stuff like “they are hopeless and you should just release them”! I did not want them to live outside and maybe survive 3-4 years, when they can live 15-20 years as an indoor pet!
They just need to be understood! They are afraid, and some may hiss and try to scratch at first, but those are usually the best pets later once they are broken and appreciate being a pet later!!!
Michelle
Feral Cats can be tamed and they are just shy and scared! to Feral Cats
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My feral tom is now about 3 years old but, I have never touched him. I had him neutered and he is outside, never been inside. He brings gifts of dead chipmunks, lizards, moles and birds. When I feed him he is not shy of my presence, in fact he paws at my feet affectionantly as I move around him as I get his food ready, and he seems to like my talking to him, but I’m hesitant to pet him…
Yours is a very tender story and you are very respectful of your feral cat friend. I think your arrangement is the best way. I think too that he would, over time, come in and you could gradually with small increases get him used to being touched and more. But you are on the spot and can judge best. Nice story though.